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Responding to the news, Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen warned the issue could continue for some children without seeking help.

She said: “It’s very sad and extremely worrying that girls in particular are so unhappy with the way they look. Without the right support and a general change in attitude across society there is a real danger these issues could intensify and continue into adulthood.

“It’s important all young people realise that everyone is different and everyone has the right to and be comfortable in their own skin. Childline will continue to provide vital support for any girl or boy who is struggling with a body image problem.”

Childline receives around a million contacts a year from young people in need of support but is only able to respond to three in every four who get in touch.

The NSPCC service delivers close to 300,000 counselling sessions for an ever-widening range of issues. See childline.org.uk and nspcc.org.uk.